Press Releases

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 18, 2011 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, is proud to announce the achievement of a new Canon camera-manufacturing milestone with the production of the company's 50-millionth EOS-series single-lens reflex (SLR) camera in September 2011. Furthermore, Canon will achieve yet another milestone at the end of this month producing the 70-millionth EF lens.

50 millionth EOS-series SLR camera

Production of the EOS SLR camera first began in 1987 at Canon Inc.'s Fukushima Plant (now Fukushima Canon Inc.), and then later moved to Oita Canon Inc.; Canon Inc. Taiwan; and most recently Nagasaki Canon Inc. from March of 2010. In 1997, the 10th anniversary of the series, production reached 10 million units, and in 2003 passed the 20-million mark. After the rapid spread of digital SLR cameras, Canon went on to reach the 30-million mark during the series' 20-year anniversary in December 2007 and the 40-million mark in May 2010, followed by the current 50-million-unit production milestone, attained after a short one year and four months.

70 millionth EF lens

Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) SLR cameras began in 1987 at the company's Utsunomiya Plant, and has since expanded to a total of four production facilities including Canon Inc. Taiwan; Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.; and Oita Canon Inc. in Japan. EF lenses reached the 10-million-unit milestone in 1995, the 20-million-unit milestone in 2001, and the 30-million-unit milestone in 2006, followed by the 40-million-unit mark in April of 2008. Owing to the rapid spread of the EOS Digital series, production then increased and EF lenses achieved the 50-million-unit mark in December of 2009 and the 60-million-unit mark in January of this year. Canon will produce 10 million units just in nine months and reach the 70-million-unit milestone at the end of October of 2011.

Canon will continue to refine its various imaging technologies by using optical technologies as a core, striving to produce exceptional and reliable cameras and lenses that cater to the varying needs of photographers-from first-time users to advanced amateurs and professionals-while contributing to expanding an enjoyable photo and imaging culture.

About EOS-series SLR cameras

The EOS series, which stands for "Electro Optical System" and also carries the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn, was first introduced in March 1987 as a new generation of AF SLR cameras that incorporate the world's first electronic mount system, achieving complete electronic control not only between the lens and body but throughout the entire camera system.

With the key concepts of high speed and ease-of-use, the EOS-series cameras, including the top-of-the-line EOS-1 professional model, which was first introduced in 1989, and the compact, lightweight EOS Rebel XS, which was released in 1993 and helped to expand Canon's user base, actively incorporated innovative technologies and gained acceptance from a wide range of users. Following the introduction of the EOS D30 in 2000, a time when the spread of digital SLR cameras was in full swing, Canon developed such advanced technologies as its proprietary CMOS sensors and the high-performance DIGIC digital image processor, as well as an extensive lineup of EF lenses in an effort to fulfill the company's new key concepts of high speed, ease-of-use, and high image quality.

Canon has its rich product lineup in each category-professional, advanced-amateur, and entry-level-in the EOS series, and aims to further enrich its lineup by releasing the new flagship-model EOS-1D X in March of 2012.

About EF lens series

First introduced in March 1987, along with Canon's EOS SLR camera system, the EF lens has over the years led the industry through the incorporation of a number of innovative technologies, including such world's firsts*1 as the Ultrasonic Motor-powered lens (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) that compensates for the effects of camera shake, Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) anti-reflection technology, and a multi-layered diffractive optical element (DO).

This year, Canon released the world's first*1 fisheye zoom lens that captures circular and rectangular images with a 180° angle of view: the EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM, and two large-aperture super-telephoto lenses: the EF300mm f/2.8L IS II USM and the EF400mm f/2.8L IS II USM.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2010†, with global revenues of more than US $45 billion and is listed as number five in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine's World’s Most Admired Companies 2011 list. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

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† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Specifications and availability are subject to change without notice.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

*1 Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras

*2 Including two EF lens extenders and models available outside of Japan